Letter to the Editor: The cost to fund a new Durfee is well worth the investment

Friday

Mar 2, 2018 at 12:55 PM

As organizations that serve the people of Fall River, we know that our residents are capable and hardworking, and they often face challenges that can seem overwhelming. We give them the tools and support they need to persevere and succeed.

On March 6, Fall River has an opportunity to give our children, now and in generations to come, a critical tool that will help them improve their lives and the quality of life for the region. That is the proposal for a new Durfee High School and the special ballot to approve a debt exclusion to help pay the city’s share of this long overdue project.

It’s unfair that our students go to a high school building that has no sprinklers or passive fire suppressant system. They spend their school day in classrooms that don’t lock and in a building where 49 outside entrances make it extremely difficult to keep both students and teachers safe. Ironically, for so many of our young people, school should be their safe haven, their opportunity to thrive, but sadly, the current building falls short in that regard.

In addition, the building does not support 21st century education. Employers say that workers need good “soft” skills – the ability to think critically, to research and analyze, to communicate and collaborate. The current Durfee does not support this learning style – and our graduates will enter a workforce to compete against those who have had the benefit of learning in schools built around the state to support this.

As social service providers, we know that education is the great equalizer. For too long, our students and staff have had to dodge buckets to catch leaks from roofs, inadequate heating and cooling, and a design that does not serve our students’ education. Many of our students face countless challenges outside their classrooms – we can and should take care of this one. The state is doing its share to provide our children a replacement for the city’s high school with $165.5 million grant– but only if we do our part to make it happen. Our part equates to $115 per year for the average home owner. That’s less than $10 per month and certainly a worthwhile investment.

The link between education and economic prosperity is real. Through our work every day in helping the most-needy children, teens and families, we know that getting a good education is key to securing employment, earning a good wage, and becoming contributing members of the community. For many of Fall River’s youth, education is what can keep them from going down the wrong path. It’s an investment that this community needs to make because in the long run it benefits all of us.

This is Fall River’s opportunity to build a great school that will give our students and our community the chance to succeed and thrive. On behalf of the children, adults and families that we serve, we ask you to vote "Yes" on March 6.